Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1887-02-18
THE DEPENDENTS PENSION BILL.
After Passing Both Branches of Congress it
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After Passing Both branches OF Congress lt is
Vetoed by President Cleveland
The president sent a lengthy message
to congress on Friday, vetoing the de-
pendent's pension bill. The following
are his closing conclusions:
l am of the opinion that it may fairly
be contended that under the provisions
of this section any soldier whose facul-
ties of mind or body became impaired
by accident, disease or age, irres pective
of his service in the army as the cause
and who, by his labor only, is left incapa-
BILE of gaining as fair support as he
might with unimpaired powers have pro-
vided for himself. and who is not so well
endowed with this worlds goods as to
live without work may claim to partici-
pate in its bounty; that it is not required
that he should be without property, but
only that labor should be necessary to his
support in some degree, nor is it requir-
ed that he should be now receiving sup
pert from others. Believing this to be
the proper Interpretation of the bill, l
cannot but remember that the soldiers of
our civil war in their pay andi bounty re-
ceived such compensation for their mill
tary service as has never been received
by soldiers before since mankind
before on behalf of any SOL
dier have so many and such generous
laws been passed to relieve against the
incidents of war; that the stat,.tes have
been passed giving them the preference ce
IN all public employments; that the real
ly needy and homeless Union soldiers of
the rebellion have been to a large extent
provided for at soldiers homes instituted
and supported by the government, where
they are maintained together, free from
that sense of degradation which attaches
to the usual support of charity, and that
never before in the history of the coun-
try has it been proposed to render gov
eminent aid in support of any of its
soldiers.
BASED ALONE UPON MILITARY SERVICE
so recent and where age and circum-
stances appeared so little to demand such
aid. Hithesto such relief has been grant
ed to surviving soldiers, few in number,
venerable in age, after a long lapse of
time since their military service and as
a parting benefit rendered by grateful
people, cannot but believe that the vast
and peaceful army of union soldiers, who
having contentedly resumed their places
in the ordinary vacations of life and
cherish as sacred the memory of the
patriotic service, or who having been dis
abled by the casualties of war Justly re-
gard to the present pension roll on which
appear their names as a roll of honor,
desire at this time and in the present ex-
igency to be confounded with those who
through such a bill as this are willing 10
be
OBJECTS OF SIMPLE CHAhITY,
and TO gain place upon the pension lon
through alleged dependence. Recent
personal observation and experience con-
strain me to refer to another result which
will inevitably follow the passage of this
bill. 1t is said. but nevertheless true, tina.
already in the matter of procuring pen
sions there exists
WIDESPREAD DISREGARD OF TRUTH
and good faith stimulated by those
whom, as agents, undertake te establish
claims for pensions heedlessly entered
upon by the expectant beneficiary and en-
couraged, or at least not condemned, b.
those unwilling to obstruct his neig ghber's
plans in the execution of this proposed
Law under any Interpretation a
wide field of inquiry would be
opened for the establishment
OF facts largely thin the knowledge of
claimants alone, and there can be no
doubt that the race after the pensions
offered By this bill would not only slim
ulate weakness and pretended incapacity
of labor, but put g further premium on
| dishonesty and mendacity- The effect of
the number of invitations to ap-
ply for pensions or of the new ad-
vantages added to the causes for pensions
already eIhisting. is sometimes startling.
Thus In March, 1879, large arresrages in
pensions we're allowed to be added to the
old claims fled prior to July /. 1880. For
the year from July /. 1879, to July 1,
1850. there were filed 110,6s3 claims.
though In the year Immediately previous
there were but 81, ,e32 fled. and in the
year following bat 1S.455. While
the cost should not be set
against patriotic duty. or the recogri-
ton of right, still. when a measure pio-
posed is based upon generosity or mo
tives of charitr, If is not amiss to
MEDIATE soNKvHAI UPos THE KxPKSsB
which il involves Experience has DEM
onstrsted, / believe, that all estimates
concerning the probable future cost Of
the pension list, are uncertain and IN